Is Newspaper Ink Harmful To Flowers Vegetables Or People

Question From: F. Kasten - Emigrant, Montana, United States
Q: On websites here on the Internet, there have been multiple suggestions of using layers of newspaper placed down in a garden to prevent weeds from coming up. What effect would the ink from the newspaper have on plants? Would the black ink have a harmful effect on the flowers or vegetables?

A: Fred, the ink used by most printers is now soy based and not toxic to people or plants. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy.